DISCOVERART

Ancient Roman

Coin Portraying Emperor Maxentius

306-312
Bronze

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Maxentius facing right and wearing a crown of laurels. On the back (reverse), the twins Castor and Pollux are shown standing, each holding scepter and with a horse behind them. One of the earliest and most popular themes on Roman coinage was the Dioscuri, or Castor and Pollux, hero twins who are usually shown with two stars placed above their heads to denote their celestial influence. They give form to a dual myth, representing youth and courage. Castor and Pollux were the sons of the god Jupiter and a mortal woman named Leda, and the story of their birth from an egg explains the peculiar cap which they always wear, evidently representin half of an egg shell.

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